Helium Tank Sizes
Choosing a helium tank size comes down to how many balloons you need and how often. Here is how Adams Gas helium options compare.
Benefits & features
Sized to your balloon count
From a single-use canister for the odd party up to refillable cylinders for weddings, events and trade balloon work.
Disposable & refillable choice
Grab a single-use canister for a one-off party, or step up to a refillable cylinder for weddings, events and trade balloon work.
Better value per balloon
A refillable cylinder works out cheaper per balloon than repeat single-use canisters once you run more than the odd party.
Disposable canisters vs refillable cylinders
- Disposable canisters — single-use and ready to go, ideal for one-off parties. A canister inflates around 30 standard 9-inch latex balloons, then it is recycled. Nothing to return.
- Refillable cylinders — rent-free and exchanged when empty. They hold far more gas (dozens to several hundred 9-inch balloons) and work out cheaper per balloon for regular or trade use.
Both come from the same Kent base and stockist network, so you can collect locally or order online. Not sure which way to go? Our disposable vs refillable guide walks through it.
How many balloons will it fill?
Balloon counts depend far more on balloon size than anything else — the bigger the balloon, the more helium it swallows and the fewer you get per tank:
- Standard 9-inch latex — the most economical; the highest count per tank.
- 11-inch latex — noticeably fewer, as each balloon holds more gas.
- Foil balloons — far fewer again; foils use much more helium than latex.
- Giant number and shape foils — the most gas-hungry of all, so plan extra.
As a rule of thumb a disposable canister covers around 30 standard 9-inch latex balloons; a refillable cylinder covers many more. Tell us your balloon mix and we will point you to the right size.
Pick the size your event needs
For a single birthday or small gathering, a disposable canister is the simplest choice — grab it, inflate, recycle. For a wedding, a big party or repeat events, a rent-free refillable cylinder holds far more gas, costs less per balloon and saves you buying a new canister each time.
Because refillable cylinders are rent-free, going bigger costs nothing in hire charges — you pay for the helium plus a one-off refundable deposit and exchange the empty next time.
Frequently asked questions
How many balloons from a disposable canister?
Around 30 standard 9-inch latex balloons. You will get fewer with larger 11-inch latex or foil balloons, which hold much more gas.
What size do I need for a wedding or big event?
A refillable cylinder is usually the better fit — it holds far more gas than a disposable canister and works out cheaper per balloon. Tell us your balloon count and we will recommend a size.
Do foil balloons need a bigger tank?
Effectively yes — foil and giant number balloons use much more helium than standard latex, so the same tank fills far fewer of them. Factor that into your count.
Order rent-free helium
Shop helium canisters online or find your nearest stockist.